| First Author | Merry DE | Year | 1994 |
| Journal | Development | Volume | 120 |
| Issue | 2 | Pages | 301-11 |
| PubMed ID | 8149910 | Mgi Jnum | J:16873 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:64932 | Doi | 10.1242/dev.120.2.301 |
| Citation | Merry DE, et al. (1994) bcl-2 protein expression is widespread in the developing nervous system and retained in the adult PNS. Development 120(2):301-11 |
| abstractText | Cell death is a common feature of neural development in all vertebrates. The bcl-2 proto-oncogene has been shown to protect a variety of cell types from programmed cell death. We have examined the distribution of bcl-2 protein in the developing and adult nervous systems. bcl-2 protein is widespread during embryonic development. Proliferating neuroepithelial cells of ventricular zones as well as the postmitotic cells of the cortical plate, cerebellum, hippocampus and spinal cord express bcl-2. Postnatally, bcl-2 is principally retained in the granule cells of the cerebellum and dentate gyrus of the hippocampus. bcl-2 expression in the CNS declines with aging. In the peripheral nervous system, neurons and supporting cells of sympathetic and sensory ganglia retain substantial bcl-2 protein throughout life. The widespread expression of bcl-2 in CNS and PNS neurons during embryonic development and its selective retention in the adult PNS is consistent with a role for bcl-2 in regulating neuronal survival. In addition, the expression of bcl-2 in some neuronal populations beyond the recognized period of cell death is suggestive of a role for bcl-2 beyond simply protecting neurons from developmental cell death. |
